food is outstanding, i suggest a heavy stout or ale with a hearty shepherds pie or irish stew

the open patio section is awesome, great for late night summer drinking

atmosphere is very pub-like, could use a bit more of an authentic Irish touch to it, but for the most part they do a really good job. i went in there to watch the Irish national soccer team play this past summer and I was the only one that knew they were even on tv, surely that is a sin of some kind...otherwise they're pretty good

getting in a few irish bands or some local entertainment would do this place a world of good

for those that are interested in liquor this is the only place i've seen in north dakota that has a substantial, even respectable, whiskey/scotch collection...and they do designate between the two, which I found to be impressive

Blarney Stone Irish Pub is without a doubt a cornerstone of the up-and-coming downtown bar district in Bismarck. A huge step forward for the city, and beer appreciation in the area.

The atmosphere when I was there was pretty up beat. It was mostly a young (21-25) crowd, but that could have been a result of when I visited (over a holiday weekend) and the relative newness of the establishment.

The air was buzzing with conversation, and seemed like a pretty big deal for the people in attendance (there was a line out the door waiting for admittance). My guess is that this will eventually die down a bit, but the area is on the upswing, and there are other bars within walking distance, so I would expect this bar to do very well for quite some time.

The quality of the beer is modest for most larger cities, but for Bismarck and the location, it may as well be Toronado. My grade is being given on a bit of a curve for this reason.

The service was quick and courteous, but I question the overall knowledge of the staff. Again, this is a result of the establishment's age, and the relative obscurity of craft beer in the area.

The selection was fantastic, and from what I have seen it is constantly improving.

The food was pretty average bar fare, but it was also priced accordingly. I had no complaints as I drank my Hoegaarden off the tap. I never thought I'd do such a thing in Bismarck.